Montessori Training Program for Teachers
Teaching with the Montessori method requires skills that differ from those needed for traditional teaching. In Montessori schools, a teacher works with children on an individualized basis, guiding them and helping them discover their own natural talents. Because the Montessori method differs so much from traditional teaching methods, the teacher training is also specialized and can take various forms.
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Programs
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Programs for Montessori teacher training vary greatly, from intensive hands-on coursework to distance learning. Teacher certification standards may differ, depending on location, and prospective candidates should research these local regulations before beginning any course. The International Montessori Index's website provides a list of teacher training courses in North America, but more than 100 training programs are around the world. Tuition varies from about $1,000 to more than $10,000, depending on the nature of the course, the level the candidate wishes to teach, and the amount of observation and student teaching given.
Types of Courses
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Before choosing a course, the candidate must first choose which level she wishes to teach. The Montessori system breaks down the levels by age. Infant and Toddler classes are for children ages of 0 to 3 years, Early Childhood Classes are for students 2 to 6 years, Elementary Classes are for children 6 to 9 years (Elementary I) or 9 to 12 years (Elementary II), and Secondary Classes are for students 12 to 15 years (Secondary I) or 12 to 18 years (Secondary I and II). Teachers are certified for one of these levels or a combination of levels (for example, Elementary I and II). The duration and intensity of the training depends on which level the candidate chooses.
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Elements of Training
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Most programs require a bachelor's degree, though some make exceptions in unusual cases. The elements of a Montessori teacher training program vary from institution to institution but usually consist of coursework, study at home, classroom observation and student teaching. In general, the programs require about 200 hours of classroom observations and student teaching, but this can range from no observation or teaching at all for distance-learning programs to more than 1,000 hours for more intensive programs.
Time Frame
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Montessori teacher training programs usually take from seven months to one year to complete, though options exist for people desiring a more flexible schedule. Certain programs, such as the North American Montessori Center, offer distance learning for candidates to study at their own pace. Others, such as the Association Montessori International/USA, offer summer courses for candidates who wish to train intensively. Similarly, certain centers offer weekend programs for teachers who wish to explore Montessori training.
Career Opportunities
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Many opportunities exist for Montessori-trained teachers both in the United States and abroad. The American Montessori Society keeps an up-to-date database of teaching positions open at member schools; linked in the Resources section, it is sortable by location.
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References
Resources
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